In the last Federal election I had the honour to work on Don Johnston’s Liberal party campaign which focused on issues of responsible representation and economic and environmental linkages, ideas that are mirrored in Green Party policy. So I fully appreciate the support he has given to Kim Charlesworth in this provincial election. I, on the other hand, will be voting for Michelle Mungall to hold on to this riding.
In the Prestige Inn debate Glen Hicks questioned Ms. Mungall about perceptions that she doesn’t always appear to be available to local constituents or has spent more political capital on regional environmental issues than on day to day community initiatives. I understand the perception but I don’t know the reality.
In my personal files I recall a new MLA who helped a community raise funds for a CT scanner by making speeches in the legislature and helping with local promotions. My only involvement with Kim Charlesworth was when she chose to be the single City Council vote against providing the Hospital Foundation with land to build a fundraising house. Nobody begrudged the vote but it did seem to lack perspective about long term initiatives. Michelle on the other hand offered a wider scope.
This came into focus at that debate when candidates were asked if they would be a ‘supermayor’ or a ‘provincial party spokesperson’. All of the others said their focus would be to work with every person and every community above all else. They offered the good and expected answer. Michelle replied that the job required you to work hard for your riding while accepting responsibility to work on what’s best for the whole province. She was right. We’re not electing more city councilors.
I want an MLA who can lobby for better in-home care for seniors right here in Nelson and can couple that with an understanding of the budget tradeoffs required to build more beds province wide. I want a party that will pro-actively work on housing affordability issues here and Vancouver. I appreciate many middle ground positions in the Green platform. They are my second choice. But I support the change in direction offered in most of the NDP platform. They will need all of their experienced MLA’s to be ready to provide good government. Experience counts. Perspective counts. I’m voting for Michelle.
Brian May
Nelson